AN ACT to amend and reenact §22-6-20 of the Code of West Virginia,
1931, as amended; and to amend and reenact §22-21-14 of said
code, all relating to clarifying the procedures for the
placement of a liner through mined-out coal horizons.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §22-6-20 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended,
be amended and reenacted; and that §22-21-14 of said code be
amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:

§22-6-20. Same -- When well is drilled through horizon of coalbed
from which coal has been removed.When a well is drilled through the horizon of a coalbed from
which the coal has been removed, the hole shall be drilled at least
thirty feet below the coalbed, of a size sufficient to permit the placing of a liner which shall start not less than twenty feet
beneath the horizon of the coalbed and extend not less than twenty
feet above it. Within this liner, which may be welded to the
casing to be used, shall be centrally placed the largest-sized
casing to be used in the well and the space between the liner and
casing shall be filled with cement as they are lowered into the
hole. Cement shall be placed in the bottom of the hole to a depth
of twenty feet to form a sealed seat for both liner and casing:
Provided, That the liner may extend back to the surface and serve
as the freshwater or coal protection casing, if done in accordance
with sections eighteen and twenty-one of this article, as
applicable. If the liner is constructed in this manner, the next
string of casing to be run into the well shall extend at least
twenty feet below the coalbed. Cement shall be placed between that
string of casing and the liner from the bottom of the casing to a
point at least twenty feet above the coalbed. Following the
setting of the liner, drilling shall proceed in the manner provided
above. Should it be found necessary to drill through the horizon
of two or more workable coalbeds from which the coal has been
removed, the liner shall be started not less than twenty feet below
the lowest horizon penetrated and shall extend to a point not less
than twenty feet above the highest horizon.

ARTICLE 21. COALBED METHANE WELLS AND UNITS.

§22-21-14. Protective devices required when a coalbed methane
well penetrates workable coalbed; when a coalbed methane well is drilled through horizon of coalbed
from which coal has been removed; notice of
stimulation; results of stimulation.

(a) Except for those coalbeds which the coalbed methane
operator proposes to complete for production of coalbed methane or
where a ventilation hole is being converted to a well, when a well
penetrates one or more workable coalbeds, the well operator shall
run and cement a string of casing in the hole through the workable
coalbed or beds in such a manner as will exclude all oil, gas or
gas pressure as may be found in such coalbed or beds. Such string
of casing shall be circulated and cemented in such a manner as
provided for in reasonable rules promulgated by the chief in
accordance with the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this
code. After any such string of casing has been so run and cemented
to the surface, drilling may proceed to the permitted depth.
(b) When a coalbed methane well is drilled through the horizon
of a coalbed from which the coal has been removed, the hole shall
be drilled at least thirty feet below the coalbed, of a size
sufficient to permit the placing of a liner which shall start not
less than twenty feet above it. Within this liner, which may be
welded to the casing to be used, shall be centrally placed the
largest-sized casing to be used in the well and the space between
the liner and casing shall be filled with cement as they are
lowered into the hole. Cement shall be placed in the bottom of the
hole to a depth of twenty feet to form a sealed seat for both liner and casing: Provided, That the liner may extend back to the surface
and serve as the freshwater or coal protection casing, if done in
accordance with subsection (a) of this section and section
twenty-one, article six of this chapter, as applicable. If the
liner is constructed in this manner, the next string of casing to
be run into the well shall extend at least twenty feet below the
coalbed. Cement shall be placed between that string of casing and
the liner from the bottom of the casing to a point at least twenty
feet above the coalbed. Following the setting of the liner,
drilling shall proceed in the manner provided above. Should it be
found necessary to drill through the horizon of two or more
workable coalbeds from which the coal has been removed, such liner
shall be started not less than twenty feet below the lowest horizon
penetrated and shall extend to a point not less than twenty feet
above the highest horizon penetrated.
(c) At least five days prior to the stimulation of any coal
seam the well operator shall give the coal owner and operator
notice of the date and time of stimulation and shall allow the coal
owner or operator to have an observer present at the site at the
coal owner or operator's risk and cost. Within thirty days after
stimulation is completed, the well operator shall certify the
actual stimulation procedure used, including, but not limited to,
the fluid injection rate, the injection pressure, the volume and
components of fluid injected and the amount and components of the
propping agent, if any.
(d) The chief may grant variances to the requirements of this
section where the variance would promote the extraction of coalbed
methane without affecting mine safety.